Centralizing device for telemotors.



J. T. SILANDBR. CENTRALIZING nnvwn r01; TELEMOTORS.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1913. 1,055,238.

Patented Mar. 4,1913.

2 snnms-snmiw 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB T. SILANDEB, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION I OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CENTRALIZING DEVICE FOR 'TELEMOTORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 4, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB T. SILANDER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Gentralizing Devices for Telemotors, of which the following is a specification.

I One object of my invention is to provide an apparatus which shall automatically act Whenever the telemotor system is usedfto centralize or bring into truth the two telemotors forming part of such a system as commonly found on board a ship; it being especially desired that the apparatus comprising my invention shall automatically act to supply to the telemotor system any liquid which may escape therefrom by leakage or otherwise. a

It is further desired to provide a system of apparatus forbringing into coincidence the two telemotors of a system, which shall be relatively simple in construction, certain in action, and not likely to get out of order, or require more than a minimum of attention orsrepairs. I

These objects and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1' is a diagrammatic representat on, .partly in section, ofa telemotor system showing my invention as applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale illustrating the detail of construction of one of the valves; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating my system as equipped with a plurality-of telemotors connected to all operate a single telemotor; and Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a form of double check valve which may be used. in

that arrangement of apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

In the above drawings, the forward telemotor OI the system is indicated at 1 and this includes two cylinders 2 and 3 respectively provided with plungers 4 and 5. Said plungers are rigidly connected together so that when oneis moved as far as possible into its cylinder, the other is 'at the extreme outer limit of its stroke. Any desired mechanism (not shown) such as that well known in the art, is provided for moving the plungers 4 and 5 into or out of their respective cylinders, and such mechanism is operative on the member 6, which connects said plungers. The after-telemotor 7 likewise consists of two cylinders Band 9 having.

two plungers 10 and 11 respectively operati ve 1n them, and like the plungers 4 and 5, rlgidly connected so that when one plunger s at its extreme outer position, the other is at its extreme inner position. The cylinder 3 is connected through a conduit 12 with the cylinder 9 while the cylinder 2 is likewise connected by a conduit 13 with the cylinder 8, and said four cylinders with these two conduits are filled with suitable liquid whereby movement of the plungers 4 and 5 in their cylinders is made to cause movement of the plungers 10' and 11. According to my invention I connect the cylinders 2 and '3 by an auxiliary conduit 14 and connect the cylinders 8 and 9 by a second auxiliary conduit 15. At any desired point in the conduit 14 is connected a valve 16 whose movable element 17 is connected through an arm 18 to the movable structure formed by the plungers 4 and 5 with the member 6. In the present instance, said arm is provided with an elongated slot for the reception of a pin 19 on the plunger 5 and it is noted that there is connected to the valve structure 16, another conduit 20, whose opposite end is in connection with the valve structure 21. structure has a movable element 22 connected through an arm 23 to the movable structure formed by the plungers 10 and 11, and there is pin 24 mounted on the latter and operative in an elongated slot of said arm.

As shown in Fig. 2, the movable member 22 is provided with three ports which, when it is in its mid-position connect the two parts of the conduit 15 and the conduit 20, although a very slight movement of said member from this position will completely cut off communication between said conduits.

This latter valve In addition there are in the casing 21, two

The movso designed that when the two plungers 4 and 5 are in their mid-positions, said movable member closes the port opening into the conduit 20, although but a small movement of said member sufiices to place one part of the conduit 14 in communication with the conduit 20, to the exclusion of the other part. A fluid supply tank 26 is connected to both parts of the conduit 14 through pipes 27 and 27 each of'which includes a check valve 28 so arranged as to permit a flow of liquid from the tank while preventing its return to the same from the conduit 14.

With the above described arrangement of parts, any movement of the plungers 4 and 5 in either direction from their mid-position will cause a flow of fluid through the conduits 12 and 13, and owing to the action of the fluid on one of the'plungers 10 and 11, will cause said plunger to move out of its cylinder, thereby moving the rudder or other structure connected to these plungers. When therefore the plunger 5, for example, has been moved as far as possible into the .cylinder 3, the flow of fluid through the conduit 12 forces the plunger 11 out of the cylinder 9 to the extreme limit of its stroke.

If for any reason some of thefluid should leak out of that part of the system comprised by the cylinders 3 and 9 and the conduit 12, it is obvious that such a full stroke movement of the plunger 5 as above indicated, would result in but a partial forcing out of the plunger 11 from the cylinder 9. Under these conditions, therefore, the movable valve member 17 would be in such a .position as to establish communication ,be-

tween the conduit 20 and that part ofthe conduit 14 connected to the cylinder 3 while the movable valve member 22, if. in any position other than its mid-position, would cut off communication between the conduits 20 and 15. When, however, through the well known mechanism, the plungers 4 and 5 are moved toward their mid-position, so that plunger 4 is moved into the cylinder 2, the plungers 10 and 11, owing to their small displacement from the mid-position, almost immediately arrive at said position, thus bringing the movable valve member 22 into place with its ports connecting the conduits 20 and 15. As a consequence, the further movement of theplunger 5 toward its midposition causes liquid to be forced by the plunger 4 from the cylinder 2' through the cylinder 2 to the cylinder 8 causes movement of the plungers 10 and 11, which are now in exact correspondence with the plungers 4 and 5. Similarly, if there is such a deficiency of fluid in the cylinders 2 and 8 as will permit the plungers 10 and 11 to get out of truth or correspondence with the plungers 4 and 5, such deficiency is made up as soon as the plunger 4 is moved from its extreme inner position to its mid-position. In such case the movement of the plungers 10 and 11 would cease as soon as they were brought to their mid-positions on account of the fluid forcedv into the cylinder 9 from the cylinder 3, being permitted to flow through the conduit 15, valve member 22, conduit 20, valve structure 16, and conduit 14 to the cylinder'2. When however, the two plungers 4 and 5 reach their mid-position so that they are in truth with the plungers l0 and 11, then the two sets of plungers move together. If at any time the two telemotors are in their corresponding proper positions and there is a deficiency in the amount of fluid in the system, it is obvious that there is free communication between the tank 26 and either part of the conduit 14. When therefore either of the plungers 4 or 5 is moved out of its cylinder, liquid may be sucked or permitted to flow from said tank to that oneof said cylinders in which such deficiency exists, the check valves 28 acting to prevent any back flow of such liquid.

It is of course obvious that while I have shown rotary or plug valves as employed for the movable elements of the system, any other suitable valves may be used without departing from my invention.

With the above described arrangement of parts, the check valves 25 effectually prevent any possible flow of fluid between the cylinders 8 and 9 when the plungers 10 and 11 occupy or pass through their midpositions.

In addition to the above described parts, I preferably connect the cylinders 2 and 3 by a conduit 29 having a su table form of valve 30 whereby when desired, communication may be established between said cylinders for the purpose of conveniently adjusting the positions of the plungers 4 and 5 and their attached parts.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, I'may connect any desired number of forward or operating telemotors to a single after or operated telemotor in order that it may be possible to actuate the latter from anycorresponding number of points or stations. In such case each additional forward telemotor may be identical in construction with the single forward telemotor shown in Fig. 1 and while other systems of piping may be desired for connecting the telemotors, I preferably place a check valve 31' (which may be of the construction shown in Fig. 4)

in the pipe 12 between the cylinders 3 and 9 and a second similar check valve 32 in the pipe 13" between the.cylinders 2 and 8. To the first of these valves is connected one end of a pipe 33 whose opposite end is connected to the cylinder 3 of the second forward telemotor and similarly a pipe 34 connects the cylinder'2 to the check valvej32, the arrangement being such that this valve as well as the valve 31 prevents liquid forced from either of the forward telemotor cylinders flowing anywhere but to the corresponding after telemotor cylinder. Thus either of the forward telemotors can cause operation of the after telemotor, and in order that the additional telemotors shall be automatically centralized as hitherto described, I connect the valve structure 16 of each of such telemotors through a pipe 20 to the ipe 20 and so to the valve structure 21. T us whichever of the forward telemotors is in use it is at every stroke connected to the after telemotor so that the latter is necessarily kept in truth with the telemotor by which it is operated. As shown each forward telemotor has an independent supply tank connected to it ashitherto described.

I claim- 1. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting the same; and automatically acting means for centralizing said telemotors under operating conditions; the same including a valve actuated-by one telemotor and'connected to permit communication between the cylinders of said telemotor except when the plungers thereof are in their mid position.

2. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting the same; and automatically acting valve mechanism with the necessary conduits for automatically establishing an additional connection between the telemotors each time the plungers thereof become out of truth.

3. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting the same for operative purposes; auxiliary conduits connecting together the cylinders of each telemotor; a conduit connecting said auxiliary. conduits; and valve mechanism actuated from the movable element of a telemotor for controlling the flow of fluid between the telemotors.

4. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting said telemotors for operativepurposes; auxiliary conduits connecting together the cylinders of each telemotor; a conduit connecting said auxiliary conduits; two valves respectively connected at the points of junction of said latter conduit with the auxiliary conduits; and means for respectively connecting said valves to the movable elements of the two telemotors.

5. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting said telemotors for operative purposes; auxiliary conduits connecting together the cylinders of each telemotor; a conduit connecting said auxiliary conduits; two valves respectively connected at the points of junction of said latter conduit with the auxiliary conduits; and means for respectively connecting said valves to the movable elements of the two telemotors; one of said valves being connected to be open When one telemotor 1S centralized and the other valve being connected to be closed when the second telemotor is-centralized. v

6. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting said telemotors for operative purposes; auxiliary conduits connecting together the cylinders of each telemotor; a connecting conduit between said auxiliary conduits; valves connected respectively at the pomts of junction of the auxiliary conduits and the connecting conduit; arms respectively connecting the movableelements of said valves to the movable parts of the two telemotors; and check valves for preventing flow of fluid from the connecting conduit to the cylinders of one of the telemotors.

7. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting said telemotors for operative purposes; auxiliary conduits connecting together thecylinders of each telemotor; a connecting conduit between said auxiliary conduits; valves con-- nected respectively at the points of junction of the auxiliary conduits and the connecting conduits; arms respectively connecting the movable elements of-said valves to the movable parts of the two'telemotors; and a sup- .ply tank communicating with said connecting conduits.

8. The combination in a telemotor system of an operated telemotor, a plurality of operating telemotors; and automatic means for centralizing the operated telemotor and the one of the operating telemotors actuating the same.

9. The combination in a telemotor system of an operated telemotor, a plurality of operating telemotors; and automatic means for centralizing the operated telemotor and the one of the operatlng telemotors actuating the same; said means including a conduit connecting the cylinders of the operated telemotor; conduits respectively connecting the cylinders of each operating telemotor; valves for said conduits; means connecting the movable member of each telemotor with its valve for operating the same; and conduits connectingthe valves of the operating telemotors to the'ivalveof-the operated telemotor.

10. The combination. in a telemotor .sys-

temof two telemotors; conduits connecting the same;' and automatically acting means for centralizing said telemotors under operating conditions; said means including conduits and two valves cooperating to establish communication between the cylinders of one telemotor whenever the said telemotors are out of truth. I

11. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting the same; and automatically acting means for centralizing said telemotors under op- 'erating conditions; said means including conduits and two valves connected to establish communication between the cylinders of one telemotor through the other telemotor whenever the said telemotors are out of truth.

12. Ilhe combination of two telemotors; three conduits extending between. said telemotors; with two valves in one of said conduits operatively connected to said telemotors respectively and arranged to cause automatic centralizing of the latter under operating conditions.

13. The combination in 'a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting I the same; and automatic means for centralizing said telemotors under operating conditions; the same including conduits, and two valves of which one is arranged to be open and the other closed when the telemotor plungers are in the mid position.

14. The combination in a telemotor system of two telemotors; conduits connecting the same; and automatic means for centralizing said telemotors under operating con- 35,

ditions; the same including conduits, and two valves respectively operated by the telemotors and arranged to both be open only when the plungers of one telemotor are central and those of the other are away from 40 their mid posit-ions.

-In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscriblng witnesses. 

